Average Rating

User Reviews

As a man who generally hates sports, and sports anime, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this going into it, I really wasn't. I wanted to hate it, I did. I tried so very desperately to. I was only watching it because my best friend told me to keep an open mind, and that this anime would rock my world. I scoffed, I did. I truly did. But he was right. I came to love these characters and their incredible
...

As a man who generally hates sports, and sports anime, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this going into it, I really wasn't. I wanted to hate it, I did. I tried so very desperately to. I was only watching it because my best friend told me to keep an open mind, and that this anime would rock my world. I scoffed, I did. I truly did. But he was right. I came to love these characters and their incredible journey so much, that this anime became like a treat to watch. Whenever I had the time, I found myself excitedly going to the next episode and tearing through it like it was nothing.

The fact of the matter is, this is more than a sports anime. This series taps into why people play sports, and the intensity that goes into why people begin to obsess over their chosen sport. The respect of their obstacles, the need to thrive and push harder, the joy in passing that next barrier. Every one of those things is explored here, in real, human detail. The love between the characters is a deep understanding that comes from having real, honest childhood friends. Can some of the scenes be misconstrued as a little homoerotic? Certainly. I'm a yaoi fanboy. I can plainly read subtext where there is none with the best of them. (Though, admittedly, the subtext is there, in my humble opinion.) But for someone who's willing to see past what is almost clearly lady-fanservice-fueled tension, these scenes speak to something deeper and more developed in each character. They are incredibly close friends, working together to create a perfectly timed unit as a medley relay team, and they know that their individual times are not the only thing that factors into perfect harmony. Emotional support, encouragement, and honest, boldly raw declarations of trust and compassion go into what it takes to create a strong, perfect team. That, my dears, is a beautiful thing. A little gay? If you want it to be. (Not gonna lie, I want it to be.) But if you've ever had that incredible friend, who you know you can do anything with if you both put your heart and souls into it and each other, you understand what's really going on here.

The anime doesn't outstay it's welcome. With both seasons, it's twenty six episodes long, and it tells the whole story in great, vivid and beautiful detail, from beginning to end. The ending is perfect, and lets you imagine the wonders that these boys will eventually accomplish, both on their own and together. It gently serves you with a taste of what comes of them, while allowing you to decide if that's the end of this beautiful journey, or just one step into the next fantastic adventure. No detail in the story was not given its due emotional value and plot-building or character-developing moment.

The characters are real and the story guides you gently into understanding them further. You start out thinking "these are basic archetypes", but as time goes on, you learn more and more about why each character became that person, and you watch them grow into multidimensional, emotional young men with intense passion and room to continue growing. Haruka goes from a comedic empty void of a person, seemingly placed at the center of this group just to explore how awkward one person can be, to someone who has real doubts, and worries and regrets, and then eventually, he grows into a man with real dreams and complex needs. And each character in the main cast has a similar struggle or reason for growing into who they become by the end. You honestly get the sense of watching these boys grow into blooming men.

You'll be sad to see them go, but you'll love wishing them the best of luck. And if you aren't at least a little inspired or pumped by the end of the journey, I think you watched the wrong series.

Free! has turned me into a believer that a sports anime can be intense without being preachy, and can focus on a group of athletes without making us feel like they're missing a key component to what makes a person. It's gorgeous, a feast for the eyes and emotions. I cannot praise it enough. Seriously. Watch it.

At the beginning it will be slow and it will take a while to get connected with all the characters. Sure, you will hate them sometimes but most of the times your love to them at the very end. The hurt, pain, sadness, and happiness were be there but at the end it will be all worth it. The final result of this series is perfect and it gives you everything you ever wanted. It's worth watching!

So when I originally heard of this anime all I could think of was the art style and how it was purely fangirl material, made for the girls that just wanted to see naked anime men but then I actually thought, well hey they are swimmers so maybe they just look like that to fit the show.
I was absolutely right and I must say this has certainly made my top list of animes since I watched it. From the
...

So when I originally heard of this anime all I could think of was the art style and how it was purely fangirl material, made for the girls that just wanted to see naked anime men but then I actually thought, well hey they are swimmers so maybe they just look like that to fit the show.
I was absolutely right and I must say this has certainly made my top list of animes since I watched it. From the great artwork and story to the catchy songs and comic relief, this is definitely a slice of life/sports anime worth watching. Frankly it was my first sports anime since I tended to think they would not interest me but this rose above my expectations and I would recommend it to anyone who loves school or slice of life anime.
And now because of this anime I actually REALLY want to learn how to swim

Thanks to FREE! I wanna learn how to swim BREAST STROKE and BUTTERFLY! This anime makes swimming looks fun and exciting! I wish I have friends like Makoto, Haru, Rei, Nagisa and Rin!! This is no doubt one of the HOTTEST ANIME I've never seen! I can't seem to get enought it even tho season 2 has been released! KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! I think I'm losing too much blood! AHAHA!!

when i first watch this show i was like "no one can see me watch this"
but then i was talking to my friend and "it was the shin in her eyes when talking about free" and i said to my self "i get it now"
and thats why i'm open will my love for shoujo anime and manga.
this show is great, if you have not tryed it yet
i hope you find stuff you like
sayonara, gou-chan is best girl, this is NOT
...

when i first watch this show i was like "no one can see me watch this"
but then i was talking to my friend and "it was the shin in her eyes when talking about free" and i said to my self "i get it now"
and thats why i'm open will my love for shoujo anime and manga.
this show is great, if you have not tryed it yet
i hope you find stuff you like
sayonara, gou-chan is best girl, this is NOT gay, fujoshi girls for the win

Anime about shirtless boys, why not! (｡♥‿♥｡) I said to myself when i saw pictures of it on Tumblr..but it this show got me speechless, the story is super good and i love the style how its made! It's tied for the best anime with Kuroko No Basuke! Made me cry a few times *cough* 10.., especially the ending! For the Future! ♡ℒฺℴฺνℯฺ♡

This show really took me by surprise. When it first came out, it was mainly just known as that "swimming anime", and I decided to watch it, because it seemed kind of funny. An anime about swimming, seems kind of weird, right?

But, as I started watching it more and more, the story started to pull me in and then I realized I couldn't stop watching it.

The anime may be about swimming, but
...

This show really took me by surprise. When it first came out, it was mainly just known as that "swimming anime", and I decided to watch it, because it seemed kind of funny. An anime about swimming, seems kind of weird, right?

But, as I started watching it more and more, the story started to pull me in and then I realized I couldn't stop watching it.

The anime may be about swimming, but overall, it focuses on friendship and building the characters, and the story line just gets better and better.

Well, there's only 2 women & one's a teacher. The lone girl is never objectified, never seen in a swimming suit, & none of the main characters are interested in her at all, but two minor character are. She ogles over guys' muscles & calls all of the shots.

The men spend most of their time posing in nothing but swim shorts & teasings fujoshis with their over-the-top friend angst. There's really
...

Well, there's only 2 women & one's a teacher. The lone girl is never objectified, never seen in a swimming suit, & none of the main characters are interested in her at all, but two minor character are. She ogles over guys' muscles & calls all of the shots.

The men spend most of their time posing in nothing but swim shorts & teasings fujoshis with their over-the-top friend angst. There's really not much plot or story, just a slice-of-life series with lots of drama & a little comedy.

Despite my intense hatred of rotoscope animation, which usually evokes the uncanny valley & is cheating like a comic artist who traces, this looks pretty damn good.

Not only are the characters great, but the art is painfully good. The makers care a lot about how this looks! This isn't just a story about a swim club. It's about friendship, finding yourself, and things that everyone struggles with growing up. Season 1 is great, but I will say -- HANDS DOWN -- season 2 is better, so much so that you can just skip S1 if you want and go straight to 2. If you are a
...

Not only are the characters great, but the art is painfully good. The makers care a lot about how this looks! This isn't just a story about a swim club. It's about friendship, finding yourself, and things that everyone struggles with growing up. Season 1 is great, but I will say -- HANDS DOWN -- season 2 is better, so much so that you can just skip S1 if you want and go straight to 2. If you are a shounen-ai fan, it's also really easy to imagine these characters in couples. <3

About the Show

Nanase Haruka loved to be in the water - loved swimming. In elementary school, Nanase Haruka, Tachibana Makoto, Matsuoka Rin, and Hazuki Nagisa
Nanase Haruka loved to be in the water - loved swimming. In elementary school, Nanase Haruka, Tachibana Makoto, Matsuoka Rin, and Hazuki Nagisa attended the same swimming class together.
Time passed, and as Haruka was living an uneventful high school life, he suddenly encountered Rin again. Rin challenged Haruka to a race and showed him how much stronger he had become.
Soon enough, Makoto and Nagisa also rejoined the group, and along with a new classmate, Ryugazaki Rei, they established the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club.
...more